A method and apparatus for determining the current condition of power contacts and providing an indication to a preventive maintenance system and/or a user of required power contact replacement. The method includes auxiliary contacts providing a low power binary signal to a processor in response to movements of a contact carrier supporting the movable auxiliary contacts and movable power contacts. The low power binary signals, in combination with physical features of the contact carrier and a signal indicating the state of the power contact, provide information to the processor for determining the current condition of the power contacts, and if the current condition exceeds a predetermined limit, notifying the preventive maintenance system and/or the user.